Soc.Culture.Jewish NewsgroupsFrequently Asked Questions
and Answers

Question 11.2.1:Sex and Purity: What's this I've heard about a hole
in a sheet?

We don't know what you've heard, but what we've heard
is that when it comes time for three men to "witness" a woman's conversion
[involving nude immersion], what's commonly done is for the water's surface to
be covered with a thick, opaque sheet with a hole in it, just big enough to let
her head through while discreetly shielding the rest of her body.

Anything else is probably just your warped imagination, and no, we still
have no idea of what you're thinking, but you should be ashamed of yourself,
just in case. And another thing, it's not true, so there!

Actually, there is an urban legend regarding what you think. As with any
urban legend, there is a spark of truth in it. Here are two explanations:

The myth derives from seeing Jews in religious neighborhoods
hanging their "talitot katan" out to dry. This poncho-like garment is
about two feet by four feet, has a fringe on each corner, and a hole in the
center for the wearer's head, and it looks somewhat like a small sheet with a
hole, and many people have vivid and warped imaginations.

There is such a practice, but it is based on a misreading of the
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, a poor source for information on mainstream halakhic
opinion on sexual matters. Most consider the legend to be an incorrect
practice. Nevertheless, the practice does seem to survive in some "fanatical"
extremes of Orthodox Judaism, without Rabbinic agreement.

The FAQ is a collection of documents that is an attempt
to answer questions that are continually asked on the soc.culture.jewish family
of newsgroups. It was written by cooperating laypeople from the various Judaic
movements. You should not make any assumption as to accuracy
and/or authoritativeness of the answers provided herein. In all cases, it is
always best to consult a competent authority--your local rabbi is a good place
to start.

Hopefully, the FAQ will provide the answer to your questions.
If it doesn't, please drop Email to questions@scjfaq.org. The FAQ maintainer
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